United States Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (reverse)

Paul Manship, United States Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (reverse), 1942, bronze, overall: 2 ¹⁄₂ in. (6.4 cm) diam. 1 ⁷⁄₈ in. (4.8 cm) diam. of medal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.140

Artwork Details

Title: United States Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (reverse)
Artist: Paul Manship
Date: 1942
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: overall: 2 ¹⁄₂ in. (6.4 cm) diam. 1 ⁷⁄₈ in. (4.8 cm) diam. of medal
Credit Line: Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums: bronze
Mediums Description: bronze
Classifications: Sculpture
Medal-Sample
Subjects: Allegory — civic — military
Emblem — military insignia
Emblem — seal
Object Number: 1966.47.140
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.140

Artwork Description

The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded since 1939 to seamen who have distinguished themselves through outstanding conduct or service in the line of duty. Paul Manship’s artist’s strike, or sample, shows a preliminary design for the reverse. The eight spokes of the ship’s wheel repeat the eight points of the stylized compass on the obverse.